[WATCH] Opposition leader has made ‘honest politics his mission’

Simon Busuttil says PN can win the coming general election

Malta needs a prime minister “who is honest and believes in honest politics”, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this morning.

Bringing the PN’s general conference to a close, Busuttil said Malta has been “far embarrassed” by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his inaction over the Panama Papers revelations.

“How could you go to London and talk about tough political decisions if both Mizzi and Schembri are still there? How is it possible that you speak like that? I worry for this country which has been heavily embarrassed,” he said, to cheers and standing ovations.

“It is not nice at all to have a Cabinet member mentioned by the Panama Papers, retained in the Prime Minister’s office. It is not nice at all.”

“My mission is not to win the general election but to clean Malta’s political system, which would in turn, yes, ensure that we win the general elections. Let us open the door and windows of this dark room, let’s let the light in and fresh air in. Let us rid this room of insults. Let us show that we can do different politics … the politics that the Maltese deserve.”

The PN leader said his party had now placed itself in a position to concretely challenge the Labour government: “People thought that it would take us 10, even 15 years, to get back on track. But the PN is here, offering a challenge as a relevant force.

“And this is the promise I want to make today. We are not just a different Nationalist Party, but we are also different to the government. We will be different from the previous PN administrations but, most certainly, different from this government. We offer honest politics.”

He said that cancer sufferers have to go “beg” to the Malta Community Chest Fund and said that, if elected, he would ensure that all cancer sufferers “receive treatment as is their right”.

Busuttil also said that honest politics would also ensure better environmental protection.

He accused the Labour Party of resorting to deceit whenever it found itself with the back against the wall, attacking PN exponents. “Instead of taking decisions, he opts to throw mud at others. He wants people to think that all politicians are the same. But the truth is that not all politicians are the same. We are different. We are honest.”

Once again, Busuttil questioned how the Police has failed to investigate the Panama Papers revelations and questioned what it was waiting for to look into allegations of tax avoidance by the Prime Minister’s chief of staff.

“Where is the Police Force? Why aren’t they investigating this? Where is the Tax Commissioner? Is he investigating Keith Schembri? How does Joseph Muscat expect you to pay your taxes when his own chief of stuff is creating tax avoidance structures?”

 Looking back at the three years of the Nationalist Party since he became leader, Busuttil said he wanted to reorganize and revolutionaries the party by changing the leading team, encouraging more youths to join the party as well as seeing more women in higher positions within the party.

Busuttil joined PN treasurer Alex Perici Calascione and executive president Ann Fenech in defending the PN loan scheme, promoting it as a scheme that promoted clean and transparent politics.

“We work for our money and clean the way political parties are financed,” Busuttil said.

Referring to criticism by the Labour Party, and questions raised on whether any individuals mentioned by Panama Papers were taking part in the scheme, Busuttil said “rest assured that Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri are not taking part”.

The PN also spoke of his experience in meeting and talking with the people and learn their aspirations.

“I don’t expect these people to trust me on two feet but I will work hard to earn their trust … I will prove myself,” he said, and went on to add that the PN parliamentary group has also proved to be a united and effective one.

Busuttil referred to the traffic management document presented by shadow minister Marthese Portelli. “These are concrete proposals which can, if implemented, can reduce traffic congestion as from today.”

Deputy leader for party affairs Beppe Fenech reiterated that Muscat did not have the courage to sack the “two men who will be responsible for his fall”.

He accused Muscat of insulting people’s intelligence, referring to his decision to retain Keith Schembri as his chief of staff whilst demoting Konrad Mizzi to a minister without portfolio. According to Fenech Adami, the latter move was “a promotion” because Mizzi was now “a minister above all ministers”. Mizzi is now “a minister within the Office of the Prime Minister”, reporting directly to Muscat and following projects as ordered by his Prime Minister.

“The emperor went to the land of the Queen,” Fenech Adami said of Muscat’s trip to London to address an anti-corruption summit. “He had the gall to speak of how to tackle corruption when in reality he did nothing about it.”

Fenech Adami compared Muscat to an octopus who, when trapped and threatened, expels ink. But the waters – the currents of change – clear out that ink and that is what will happen to Muscat and his government.